Written Answers Thursday 26 November 2009

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to provide financial support to assist farmers in relation to the introduction of compulsory electronic sheep tagging.

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated the prospect of providing financial support to assist farmers in relation to the introduction of compulsory electronic sheep tagging.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has been working hand in hand with industry to gain concessions and minimise the impact of these rules being imposed by Europe. That is why we have already invested £3 million in a large scale electronic research pilot aimed at finding workable and affordable systems for Scotland. The pilot, currently in phase two, is focussing on reducing costs, ensuring the use of critical control points in the most appropriate manner and assessing the options available towards the introduction of an individual animal database.

  In Scotland, we have also made funding available of up to £1,000 per farmer under the SRDP Land Managers Options that will assist farmers with the cost of funding electronic reading equipment. We continue to work with the sector on all aspects of EID and explore all options available to help reduce the EID implementation challenge.

  Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with farming organisations regarding the prospect of providing financial support to assist farmers in relation to the introduction of compulsory electronic sheep tagging.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has had various discussions with farming organisations regarding financial support to assist farmers, in relation to the introduction of compulsory electronic sheep tagging. These discussions have taken place both during and prior to the public consultation, as well as being part of the Scottish electronic research pilot considerations. The Scottish Government is also currently considering correspondence received on this issue which were received as part of the formal consultation responses.

  Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it next expects to meet farming organisations to discuss the prospect of providing financial support to assist farmers in relation to the introduction of compulsory electronic sheep tagging.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is still analysing the responses to the public consultation, looking at all aspects of EID, to find the best route forward and ensure a suitable future for sheep farmers. Once this work is complete, officials will meet to discuss with the relevant farming organisations.

Alcohol

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs will be lost in Scotland as a result of a minimum price per unit of alcohol set at (a) 40p, (b) 50p and (c) 60p.

John Swinney: We consider the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol will have a positive effect on employment and the economy as a whole.

  The results of the modelling that was undertaken by the University of Sheffield on behalf of the Scottish Government shows that the introduction of a minimum price is estimated to lead to a reduction in workplace harms in the form of fewer days absence from work and fewer people unemployed.

  For a 40p minimum price, around 11,600 fewer days absence and around 800 fewer people unemployed.

  For a 50p minimum price, around 34,600 fewer days absence and around 1,700 fewer people unemployed.

  For a 60p minimum price, around 66,100 fewer days absence and around 2,600 fewer people unemployed.

Bees

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the diagnostic service provided by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture has been used to confirm the presence of varroa in beehives.

Richard Lochhead: Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) provide a free diagnostic service to beekeepers to identify and confirm the presence of varroa and notifiable bee pests and diseases.

  Recently, testing has primarily been to confirm the presence of the notifiable diseases European Foulbood (EFB) and American Foulbrood (AFB) however the figures for varroa are as follows:

  Year 2007 - 193 positive hives tested from 332 samples received,

  Year 2008 - 143 positive hives tested from 273 samples received,

  Year 2009 - 68 positive hives tested from 181 samples received (January to October only).

  Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the specialist bee adviser at the Scottish Agricultural College has provided training to beekeepers.

Richard Lochhead: During this financial year the apiculture specialist at the Scottish Agricultural College has delivered 20 formal training courses to date with a further six planned. Evening lectures and workshops to beekeeping associations throughout Scotland are also provided, 11 to date with a further five planned in this financial year.

  Training, education and advice has also been given to commercial beekeepers on site visits during the recent notifiable disease outbreaks.

  Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how the services provided by the specialist bee adviser at the Scottish Agricultural College are advertised and to whom.

Richard Lochhead: The apiculture specialist at the Scottish Agricultural College works closely with representatives from both the Bee Farmers Association and Scottish Beekeeping Association.

  The apiculture services are advertised in the Scottish Beekeeping Association (SBA) monthly magazine, through the 36 SBA Local Association Secretaries and through local press articles.

  Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date bee inspectors last made an inspection and how many inspections have taken place in each of the last three years.

Richard Lochhead: The latest bee inspection by Scottish Government Bee Inspectors was made during week commencing 2 October 2009.

  Inspections are completed only when a beekeeper has notified the relevant authority of their suspicion of a notifiable disease.

  The following inspections have taken place in each of the last three years:

  Year 2009: 2,844 hives from 294 apiaries have been inspected (following the recent notifiable disease outbreak),

  Year 2008: none,

  Year 2007: two.

  Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for its bee health strategy.

Richard Lochhead: In view of the unprecedented scale and seriousness of the ongoing bee disease outbreaks in Scotland this summer and autumn, Scottish Government officials are taking time to consider the valuable lessons we have learned from this experience and incorporate these into the strategy.

  The strategy will be published when this process is completed.

  Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met bee health stakeholders; what the outcome was, and whether the minutes are available to MSPs.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government officials last met with stakeholders/commercial beekeepers on 11 September 2009. These beekeepers were trained in the safe use and administration of the antibiotic Oxytetracycline for the treatment of European Foul Brood only. Following successful completion of the training course attendees were given temporary "authorised person" status (until 30 November 2009) which has enabled them to administer the treatment of antibiotic to hives in their ownership.

  As this was primarily a training course, minutes of this meeting were not taken.

  Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment last met representatives of the Scottish Beekeepers Association and the Bee Farmers’ Association; what the outcome was, and whether the minutes are available to MSPs.

Richard Lochhead: I have agreed to meet with representatives from the Scottish Beekeepers’ Association and the Bee Farmers’ Association and my officials are currently in the process of identifying a suitable time.

Central Heating

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-23504 by Alex Neil on 11 May 2009, what proportion of the £15 million identified for the Home Insulation Scheme will be allocated to its publicity and promotion.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government’s Grant Offer Letter to the Energy Saving Trust is available in the Parliament’s Information Centre (Bib. number 49351).

  It shows an agreed range of costs, of between £5.26 million and £5.80 million (average £5.5 million), for the delivery of services to almost 100,000 homes by the scheme’s managing agent.

  Direct local marketing started in October, after the grant offer letter issued. We can therefore update you that up to around £700,000 has been earmarked within the local services costs for publicity material, local press advertising and website links and community events in each of the 10 separate areas.

  It will be possible to quantify a total amount spent on marketing, publicity and promotion of the Home Insulation Scheme when the 2009-10 programme has been completed.

Communities

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27919 by Alex Neil on 29 October 2009, whether it plans to make available to organisations seeking to tackle sectarianism and religious intolerance in Scotland the £128,000 returned to it by the Scottish-Islamic Foundation.

Alex Neil: All decisions in relation to funding have to be taken in line with ministerial priorities and it is right that we take stock before taking any decisions on the allocation of funding. This is normal practice and consideration will be given to all of the options open to us. No decisions have been made at this time.

Digital Technology

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure continued broadband funding for land-based businesses.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has delivered significant improvements in broadband access throughout Scotland though various initiatives, including successful completion of the Broadband Reach Project in May 2009. The project has made available an affordable service to the (less than) 1% of the population previously unable to access broadband due to distance from the exchange. The project, which will continue (while funding remains) until March 2010, has delivered broadband to over 2,200 premises, including numerous land-based businesses in rural areas.

  Scotland’s rural communities will thereafter benefit from €2.9 million funding from the European Economic Recovery Package. The Scottish Government aims to ensure that all households and businesses in rural areas can access, as a minimum, a reliable basic broadband service.

  Funding will be made available to applicants for new or enhanced broadband infrastructure provision; it is anticipated that individuals or local communities will be invited to establish their service requirements and identify a provider prior to submitting a funding application. Discussions are ongoing between officials and others, including LEADER local action groups, to identify the most effective mechanism to deliver these benefits.

Education

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the replacement of existing levels A to F in the 5 to 14 curriculum by two wider levels at primary stages will have an effect on rigour or on the raising of aspiration in primary schools.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the replacement of the existing levels A to F in the 5 to 14 curriculum by two wider levels of measuring attainment will raise standards in primary schools.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the replacement of the assessment levels A to F in the 5 to 14 curriculum reduces expectations on primary schools.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be the right balance between formative and summative assessment.

Fiona Hyslop: Yes. Within Curriculum for Excellence progression up to the end of S3 will be through curriculum levels early, first, second, third and fourth, paving the way for work towards qualifications in the senior phase at the SCQF level appropriate to the needs and achievements of each young person. Learning will be assessed against the standards and expectations set out in the curriculum guidance and in line with the strategic vision for assessment published on 24 September. The levels are spaced in a way which will allow teachers to plan for greater depth, enrichment and consolidation of learning, ensuring well planned progression based on secure, well established learning. The expectations of learning at each level described within the curriculum guidance were signed off by the Curriculum for Excellence management board, which includes representatives from the Educational Institute of Scotland, School Leaders Scotland, Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, Association of Scotland’s Colleges and the Association of Heads and Deputes in Scotland.

  Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that parents are sufficiently informed about the planned changes to assessment and learning levels.

Fiona Hyslop: It is the responsibility of local authorities, schools and headteachers to support the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence by identifying priorities and providing opportunities for parents to learn about the changes to the education system.

  We are also working with the local authority parental involvement network, parent councils and parent bodies, through seminars and newsletters, so that they have the information and advice they need to keep parents informed of the developments in Curriculum for Excellence. This will include a toolkit to support practitioners in the New Year.

  Learning and Teaching Scotland’s Parents as Partners in Learning website has examples of good practice on how to tell parents what they need to know about the changes to their child’s education:

  http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/parentsaspartnersinlearning/about/cfevideos.asp.

  The Framework for Assessment, which will provide guidance on assessment approaches for Curriculum for Excellence, will published early in the New Year.

Family Law

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the number of family courts.

Kenny MacAskill: Family courts do not operate as a separate jurisdiction in Scotland. The majority of cases concerning family law are civil cases in the sheriff court. The Scottish Government is considering the recommendations of the Scottish Civil Courts Review, led by Lord Gill, which was published on 30 September 2009 and debated in Parliament on 8 October 2009. It includes a number of recommendations relevant to family law cases, including that there should be a system of designated specialisms for sheriffs, including family law; that a new judicial office of district judge should be created; and that there should be concurrent jurisdiction of sheriffs and district judges in relation to family actions.

  Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase access to sheriffs who hear family law cases.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is currently considering the recommendations of the Scottish Civil Courts Review, led by Lord Gill, which was published on 30 September and debated in the Scottish Parliament on 8 October. It includes a number of recommendations relevant to family law cases, including that there should be a system of designated specialisms for sheriffs, including family law; that a new judicial office of district judge should be created; that there should be concurrent jurisdiction of sheriffs and district judges with relation to family actions; that a docket system should operate to allocate cases to a sheriff; and that a new model of case management of cases should be introduced. There are also a number of specific recommendations about the handling of family actions (recommendations 64-71).

Finance

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it submitted a response to the UK Government’s consultation on its white paper, Reforming Financial Markets, which closed on 30 September 2009 and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

John Swinney: Scottish Government officials worked closely with HM Treasury officials in considering which proposals to implement in Scotland.

  Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it submitted representations on the UK Government’s forthcoming Financial Services and Business Bill as part of its legislative programme consultation and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

John Swinney: Scottish Government officials have worked closely with HM Treasury officials on the Financial Services Bill and its application to Scotland.

  Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the comments of the European Commissioner for Competition Policy that the Royal Bank of Scotland had become too big to supervise, too big to operate and too complex to understand.

John Swinney: It is clear from the events in the global banking sector that some organisations’ structures and products had become extremely complex and that this was a contributory factor in the failure by both financial institutions and regulatory bodies to foresee the current crisis.

  Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the limiting of bonuses at the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group.

John Swinney: Bonuses should only be paid for exceptional performance and should be consistent with effective governance, risk management and the creation of shareholder value. We look to UK regulatory authorities to ensure that there is no reward for short-term speculative earnings.

  Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that its decision to make no written representations to the European Commission regarding the structure of the Royal Bank of Scotland or Lloyds Banking Group was correct.

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it did not make representations to the European Commission (EC) prior to 3 November 2009 to ask that the Scottish Government be fully involved in how the EC’s plans for UK banks in receipt of state aid are progressed.

John Swinney: The European Commission has not opened a formal investigation into Royal Bank of Scotland or Lloyds Banking Group, but instead was involved in commercially sensitive discussions concerning the banks’ plans for restructuring as required by the European Commission’s Rescue and Restructuring guidelines as applied under Article 87(2)(b) of the EC Treaty.

  The UK Government, through HM Treasury, was fully involved in these discussions with the EC and both banks. I wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 16 July, when the Scottish Government’s Access to Finance Survey 2009 was published, highlighting concerns about the concentration of the market in the provision of finance to SMEs in Scotland.

  As the Chancellor of the Exchequer has responsibility for negotiating directly with the European Commission on behalf of the United Kingdom as a whole on these reserved state aid matters, we consider that this was the correct course of action for the Scottish Government to pursue.

  Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it did not ask the Office of Fair Trading, under the terms of the Enterprise Act 2002, to refer the small-business banking market in Scotland to the Competition Commission for further investigation in the last year.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government SME Access to Finance Survey highlighted the extent to which two banks are the main providers of finance to SMEs in Scotland, with around three quarters of the market share for SME finance. The Scottish Government shared these findings with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) at the time of publication, but the responsibility for the decision to refer such matters to the Competition Commission lies with the OFT and not the Scottish Government.

  While the Scottish Government has concerns about the concentration of the market, and highlighted this in a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, we also consider that further work is necessary, and should include an assessment of business attitudes towards banking and in switching financial providers.

  Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to UK Government plans for the Royal Bank of Scotland to be able to use its recent losses to reduce tax bills.

John Swinney: We are clear that taxpayers must receive a fair return for the significant investments that have been made.

  Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the level of stock of core tier-one capital being required of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group by the Financial Services Authority.

John Swinney: This is a matter for the regulators.

  Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to any proposed divestments in British banking in light of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth’s comment in a press release on 3 November 2009, "I welcome moves to increase competition in our banking sector".

John Swinney: The Scottish Government is clear that the principle of increased competition and choice for business and individual consumers is a welcome development. We are also clear that it is vital that all efforts are made to build upon the skills and expertise which currently exists in Scotland by ensuring that opportunities for jobs and headquarter functions are maximised in Scotland. These objectives will be pursued by the Scottish Government.

  Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the principle of the proposed divestment of parts of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group and what the reasons are for its position in this matter.

John Swinney: We understand that the European Commission recognises that State intervention has been necessary to secure the future of aided banks. We accept the principle that the state aid rules are in place to minimise distortions of competition and ensure a level playing field for our businesses in the European marketplace. We, therefore, acknowledge the need for member states to comply with obligations under EC law in this respect .

  As the proposed divestments by Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group are taken forward, the Scottish Government will be working to ensure the twin objectives of increasing competition and maximising economic benefit to Scotland are assured.

  Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the response to the second supplementary to question S3F-1978 by Alex Salmond on 5 November 2009 (Official Report c. 20929), what its preferred solution for HBOS was, given the First Minister’s confirmation in his response that he was opposed to the HBOS/Lloyds TSB merger.

John Swinney: Our preference throughout the takeover process had been that a continuing standalone Bank of Scotland would have best served the interests of Scotland’s businesses, bank depositors and customers.

  We remain, however, fully committed to helping Lloyds Banking Group realise the benefits of Scotland as a location of choice for them in terms of our highly skilled workforce, cost efficient property base and world class business infrastructure.

Fisheries

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will move funding for the European Fisheries Fund Axis IV measures in Scotland to the LEADER programme.

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether existing LEADER local action groups will have a role in administering European Fisheries Fund Axis IV measures.

Richard Lochhead: It is not possible to move funding from the European Fisheries Fund to the LEADER measure within the Scottish Rural Development Programme. The two funding streams are distinct and separate entities.

  Our aspiration, however, is that existing LEADER local action groups will have a key role in administering European Fisheries Fund (EFF) Axis IV measures. It is planned to establish EFF Axis IV fisheries local action groups (FLAGs) on the basis of utilising the existing Scottish LEADER network where that is appropriate.

  We are currently redesigning the delivery of Axis IV in a way which is realistic to the levels of funding involved and which does not involve an overly bureaucratic process. We are currently involved in finalising these details at UK and Commission level and we expect roll out of the scheme by late spring/early summer 2010.

  Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in relation to future fisheries negotiations, what reciprocal fishing rights it expects to be put in place that would allow Scottish fishing vessels to fish in Icelandic fishing grounds and what steps would be taken to ban whaling by Iceland if its bid for EU membership is successful.

Richard Lochhead: The current level of access for Icelandic vessels to EU waters and for EU vessels to Icelandic waters is regulated both by the bilateral agreement between the EU and Iceland and by coastal states agreements made under the auspices of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC).

  The future level of reciprocal access by EU vessels to Icelandic waters and vice versa is a matter for consideration in the wider context of Icelandic accession negotiations, which remain at a very early stage. Within the framework of the Common Fisheries Policy, access to fisheries has historically been based on demonstration of a track record of fishing entitlement. Arrangements for granting fishing opportunities in the waters of any member state by another member state is decided on by the European Council of Ministers.

  With respect to whaling, all cetaceans (e.g. whales, dolphins and porpoises) are fully protected in EU waters. Iceland would normally be expected to adopt existing Community legislation upon accession (the "Acquis Communautaire"). Within the context of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), EU policy is to support the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling outwith Community waters. We would expect the EU to object to any possible request from Iceland for a derogation from the IWC moratorium.

  Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with the UK Government anent the proposal to register the Atlantic bluefin tuna on the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with their UK Government counterparts with respect to the full range of fisheries-related policy issues, including issues relating to bluefin tuna.

  Management of this stock is regulated by the International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) and the EU has exclusive competence in the field of external negotiations with ICCAT. We expect the EU position on the proposal to ban trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna to be determined following discussions in ICCAT.

  Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the European Commission’s proposal for a temporary ban on the trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna and what steps are being taken to ensure that consumers buy only line-caught tuna.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government supports the stance of the European Commission in attempting to develop appropriate management measures for the bluefin tuna stock through the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna.

  The Scottish Government encourages consumers to buy fish from sustainable sources, including those accredited by external schemes or organisations such as Seafish’s Responsible Fishing Scheme or the Marine Stewardship Council.

Homelessness

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to disseminate to local authorities the findings of the Prevention of Homelessness Partnership Evaluation in south-west Glasgow.

Alex Neil: The Prevention of Homelessness Partnership evaluation findings were disseminated to local authorities through statutory guidance issued in April 2009 at the time of the introduction of section 11 of the Homelessness Etc (Scotland) Act 2003. We would encourage local authorities and their partners to use this guidance and the learning from such projects when developing their local schemes.

  Prevention of homelessness is one of the key priorities agreed between Scottish Government and local authority partners in COSLA. Guidance was issued to local authorities in June 2009 which afforded a further opportunity to highlight guidance around the implementation of section 11.

Housing

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the news that the Greenbelt Group faces being struck off by Companies House for failure to produce its latest set of accounts, what action the Scottish Government will take to protect homeowners from any aggressive debt recovery by the company.

Fergus Ewing: Companies House are responsible for examining and storing company information delivered under the Companies Act and related legislation. The member may wish to take up any particular points on the submission of accounts with Companies House. More generally, the Scottish Government is in regular contact with the Greenbelt Group on a wide range of matters relating to land maintenance companies. On debt recovery, we expect the Greenbelt Group, like all other bodies, to follow the provisions of Scots law.

  Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to set up a group to examine evictions, as referred to by the Minister for Housing and Communities at the meeting of the Local Government and Communities Committee on 11 November 2009 (Official Report c. 2629).

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government held an event with a range of key stakeholders on 19 November 2009 to consider how the overall number of evictions could be reduced in the social rented sector through sharing best practice and addressing obstacles to achieving this. A group, drawn from a small number of stakeholders present at the above event, will now meet early in the New Year to review progress.

Justice

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people convicted of handling an offensive weapon in the Lothians region in each of the last five years were aged (a) under 16, (b) 16 to 21, (c) 22 to 30 and (d) over 30 at the time of the offence.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table:

  Persons with a charge proved in the Lothians Region4 for Handling Offensive Weapons1,3 by Age, 2003-04 to 2007-08:

  

Age2
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08


Under 16
1
0
0
0
0


16-21 
97
98
112
141
101


21-30 
78
104
77
131
119


Over 30 
85
94
84
98
99


Total
261
296
273
370
319



  Notes:

  1. Where main offence

  2. Age at time of the offence is not available; age is at date of sentence.

  3. Handling an offensive weapon covers the crime categories possession of an offensive weapon, restriction of an offensive weapon and having in a public place an article with a blade or point.

  4. Based upon an approximate mapping of sheriff courts into local authority areas. Some sheriff courts will deal with cases from more than one local authority area.

  George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many migrants from other EU states are serving a community service order, broken down by local authority area.

Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally.

Land

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent progress has been made in setting up a voluntary accreditation scheme for land maintenance companies and whether it still expects the scheme to be in place by summer 2010.

Alex Neil: The stakeholders’ working group established to develop an accreditation scheme for property managers has met on a monthly basis since March 2009 and has made substantial progress, particularly in developing core standards, identifying effective options for third party redress and considering the potential for raising public awareness. This work has included ensuring that the core standards are applicable to land maintenance companies (including the land owning model).

  I have asked the working group to review the approach being taken in the light of information and evidence gathered to date, to ensure that it remains the most appropriate for achieving the desired objectives for the property management industry. This matter will be considered at the next meeting of the working group.

NHS Procurement

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what firms were involved in bidding for the contract to build the new Southern General Hospital.

Nicola Sturgeon: Five potential bidders participated in a pre-qualifying questionnaire process from which three were short-listed on the basis of their demonstrative ability to construct a healthcare project of this scale and complexity.

  The five bidders were:

  Balfour Beatty Group Limited

  Brookfield Europe LP

  FCC Elliot Healthcare Ltd

  Laing O’Rourke Construction Limited

  Miller Construction UK Ltd.

  The evaluation of the pre-qualification questionnaire identified the following three bidders to be taken forward to the tender stage of the project:

  Balfour Beatty Group Limited

  Brookfield Europe LP

  Laing O’Rourke Construction Limited.

Poverty

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18386 by Stewart Maxwell on 9 December 2008, what payments have been made to each local authority area from the £7.5 million allocated to support its poverty framework for 2009-10.

Alex Neil: The £7.5 million allocation covers two financial years (2009-10 and 2010-11). We have made no payments to local authority areas, because we are funding activities which are either Scotland-wide or cover more than one authority area, rather than local projects. The Scottish Government is continuing discussions with COSLA and other key stakeholders on how to best utilise the remaining funding to implement the commitments set out in the framework.

Prison Service

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it collects information regarding the nationality of prisoners; if not, whether it plans to collect such information in the future, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS routinely collects information regarding foreign national prisoners.

  John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many drug finds there were in each prison in each of the last five years, broken down by type of drug.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The following table illustrates the number of suspected drug finds recorded since  1 January 2005 to 23 November 2009 broken down per establishment. The SPS does not carry out analysis on substances found, and is not always advised of the outcomes of such analysis, it is, therefore not possible to provide information on the nature of the substance.

  

Establishment
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005


Aberdeen
120
89
53
50
43


Addiewell (opened 09-12-08)
206
0
 
 
 


Barlinnie
256
303
396
340
320


Cornton Vale
121
117
110
89
96


Dumfries
13
36
34
24
21


Edinburgh
225
316
226
229
281


Glenochil
124
133
148
118
118


Greenock
60
83
79
82
85


Inverness
21
14
13
18
2


Kilmarnock
171
298
253
368
263


Low Moss (closed 31-03-07)
 
 
26
67
114


SPS Open Estate
49
64
72
100
60


Perth
127
145
147
190
231


Peterhead
 
2
6
12
1


Polmont
110
135
120
115
164


Shotts
102
113
96
140
160


Totals
1,705
1,848
1,779
1,942
1,959

Regeneration

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the list of lead applicants, including details of project titles and towns, who submitted unsuccessful applications to the second tranche of the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Alex Neil: It is our intention to publish details of unsuccessful projects across both rounds of the Town Centre Regeneration Fund including the lead applicant, project title and relevant towns. We will aim to do so by the middle of December 2009. Details will be made available via the Scottish Government website:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/regeneration/town-centres.

Rural Development

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Timings and Scheme Year Rules for Annual Recurrent Payment Claims page was (a) included and (b) last updated on the Scotland Rural Development Programme section of the Scottish Government’s website.

Richard Lochhead: The Timings and Scheme Year Rules for Annual Recurrent Payment Claims page in the Claims section of Rural Priorities web guidance was first included on the website on 10 July 2008 and was last updated 25 September 2009.

  As has been publicised, the intention is to begin to pay annual recurrent claims for Rural Priorities in early 2010, as soon as possible after the end of the scheme year. This in line with arrangements for previous agri-environment schemes, where such payments were also made after the end of the scheme year, which is January to December for Rural Priorities.

  The timing is also informed by the need to comply with European requirements for all inspections for land-based activities to be carried out before payments can be made.

  My officials will of course make every effort to ensure payments are made as soon as possible.

Schools

Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which primary schools will benefit from the next set of support to be announced under the new £1.25 billion school building programme

Fiona Hyslop: I am pleased to announce the following 21 primary and special school projects that will benefit from the new £1.25 billion school building programme that augments the current £2 billion of school investment that is being supported by the government. They are:

  

School project
Authority


Bucksburn / Newhills
Aberdeen City


Dunoon / Kirn / St. Mun’s
Argyll and Bute


St. John’s / Claremont, Alloa
Clackmannanshire


Gargieston, Kilmarnock
East Ayrshire


Lairdsland, Kirkintilloch
East Dunbartonshire


Haddington Infants / St. Mary’s
East Lothian


Daliburgh
Eilean Siar


New RC primary in Falkirk area
Falkirk


Garrowhill
Glasgow


Glendale
Glasgow


One other Glasgow primary school
Glasgow


Lilybank / Glenburn special school
Inverclyde


Kinloss 
Moray


Evie
Orkney Islands


Invergowrie
Perth and Kinross


St. James, Renfrew
Renfrewshire


Duns
Scottish Borders


Happyhansel, Walls
Shetland 


Spittal, Rutherglen
South Lanarkshire


Riverside, Stirling
Stirling


Pumpherston and Uphall Station
West Lothian



  Following on from my earlier announcement to Parliament (S3W-27721, answered on 28 September) I am pleased that all 32 councils will be benefiting from support for a school project as part of the first phase of the new school building programme. We have engaged with COSLA and individual councils to identify the 21 school projects and have used the same criteria for selection as were used for the first 14 secondary schools, based on information which councils have themselves provided. We have taken into account the distribution of needs throughout Scotland; the best available information about schools’ condition and unsuitability to deliver the curriculum for excellence; additionality; and authorities’ plans and priorities and readiness to proceed.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Scottish Agricultural College

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what capital investment was made by the Scottish Agricultural College in its Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10 and will be made in 2010-11; what work was or will be carried out in each case, and what proportion of the funding came or will come from the Scottish Government funding to the Scottish Agricultural College for its animal disease surveillance work.

Richard Lochhead: 2004-05
£113,000 (SEERAD) and £15,000 (SAC).


2005-06
No spend.


2006-07
No spend.


2007-08
£99,500 (SEERAD), a refurbishment of the centre including new windows, flooring, redecoration, electrical works, blinds, furniture and DDA compliance.


2008-09
No spend.


2009-10
£71,190.44 (SAC), the refurbishment of the sheep shed into a large file/ equipment store, refurbishment of the centre to provide office accommodation for the SAC Farm Business Service advisors, additional parking, redecoration and furniture.


2010-11
Any planned spend has yet to be announced.



  This information was provided by SAC.